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Hawkins, Samples remembered
RANDI TUBBS editor-in-chief
Maggie Samples, 21 (‘25), and senior Phillip Hawkins, 22, died early Sunday morning, May 25, 2025, in a car accident in Hickman County, Tennessee. Visitation for Samples were held in Lexington, Kentucky, June 4-5, and a funeral service was held June 5. Visitation for Hawkins was held on June 6, and a memorial service was held on June 7 in Lyndhurst, Ohio, with an additional service on July 12 in Farmington, New Mexico.
“Usually, there is a community outcry and a lot of organizing and comforting – everybody’s here together to grieve and suffer and everything together,” Dr. Heath Carpenter, Samples’ professor for multiple English and Bible courses, said. “It being in the summer, everyone was in their own pockets of the world, connecting via texts and phone calls.”
Samples was from Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated in May with degrees in multimedia journalism and theological studies. She served as editor-in-chief of The Bison and was a member of Delta Nu social club.
Dr. Mac Sandlin, associate professor of Bible and ministry and director of the theological studies program, was not only Samples’ professor three times, but is also her father’s first cousin. Sandlin watched Samples grow up and flourish during her time as a Harding student.
“[Maggie] was so full of joy,” Sandlin said. “She had a radiant personality. She was so wise and insightful, but was also sharp and cutting with her quick wit.”
Sandlin said he is sure that Samples left her mark on Harding and the people she spent her time with. When asked what Samples’ Harding legacy would be, Sandlin said, “[Maggie] was a good writer for The Bison, and she helped make the McInteer beautiful with her role in the art contest. If she were here, she’d say what she wanted to leave behind was a call for us to not wait around for the big, dramatic moments of our life to define us or our story, but rather to be finding gold in the sand.”
Graduate student Layne Medler was a close friend of Samples.
“Maggie was the closest I’ll ever get to a soulmate,” Medler said. “Maggie was a lover before all else. She loved people so fiercely. It doesn’t matter if it was a stranger or her closest friends and family.”
Medler described one of the most admirable traits about Samples as her confidence in life.
“She was very sure of herself,” Medler said. “She is the only person I know who lived and died with no regrets. Maggie had such a zest for life and lived it so truly for herself. Whatever came at her, she was going to make the most out of it and live it out with no regrets.”
Alumna Emma McDaris (‘25) was Samples’ roommate for two years at Harding and graduated with the same multimedia journalism degree.
“The relationship we had was not like best friends, it was like sisters,” McDaris said. “It was nice having something in my major living with me. I saw her grow journalistically, and I always had an editor and fellow journalist beside me. She loved beautiful things, the beauty of truth, and she wanted to spread that everywhere.”
Hawkins was a senior cybersecurity major from Farmington, New Mexico, and was a member of Knights social club.
Senior Tyler Brown had been friends with Hawkins since their freshman year. Brown said Hawkins shared an air of honesty and confidence with his friends.
“He was also just very himself,” Brown said. “He had already found himself before he got to Harding. He was always open to deep conversations and was open and honest.”
Brown learned lessons from his friendships with both Hawkins and Samples.
“Maggie has made me a more thoughtful person,” Brown said. “Phil taught me the ability to be able to laugh at myself when things don’t go the way I planned – that things will just be okay.”
Also a friend since freshman year, senior Andrew Williams said he admired Hawkins for his lighthearted nature and
valued being in Hawkins’ tight circle.
“I don’t think there’s a single person out there who didn’t like Phil,” Williams said. “He was quiet and had an interesting sense of humor, so either you didn’t know him well or you really loved him. Those were the two options.”
Williams noted Hawkin’s work ethic and outlook on life.
“Phil didn’t like to complain,” Williams said. “He was a big fan of living life and being with his friends. Phil has helped me look on the bright side of things as much as I possibly can.”
In fall 2023, their friends McDaris and Brown set up Samples and Hawkins, and they eventually fell in love. After a four-hour first date, they “just became Maggie and Phil,” McDaris said.
On April 24, 2025, Hawkins asked Samples to marry him, and she joyfully accepted. Their closest friends found their relationship unbelievably compatible and right.
“They both grew so much in their relationship,” Medler said. “It was as meant to be as it could’ve been. They were a perfect match.”
At its core, their relationship was founded upon being the best of friends.
“They brought out the best in each other,” Williams said. “I don’t think there are two people that I’ve seen more than Phil and Maggie enjoy going to Walmart together so much – and that’s because they loved being around each other so much.”
To honor Hawkins’ memory, his family has decided to start the Phillip Hawkins Memorial Scholarship. Their goal is to raise $25,000 to make his scholarship a permanent endowment. To do that, they partnered with the 4 Corners Economic Development Foundation, a New Mexico registered 501(c)(3), to collect funds. Donations to the scholarship should be made out to “4 CED Foundation” and mailed to:
4 CED Foundation
Attn: Scott Bird 5101 College Blvd Farmington, NM 87402
A candlelight service honoring Samples and Hawkins will be held Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on the Benson Auditorium front steps.
Students return to renovations to cafeteria,
RANDI TUBBS editor-in-chief
This semester, students returned to campus to find renovations to two of the most populated spaces on campus while classes are in session – the University Dining Hall and the McInteer Bible Building.
The caeferia’s renovations were welcomed with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 20 featuring live music, custom ice cream, and a special appearance by Buff the Bison, the Harding mascot. The Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce led the ribbon-cutting alongside Harding University President Mike Williams and Bison Hospitality General Manager Jason Lucas.
The first phase of renovation took place in summer 2024 and focused on retiling the front half of the CAF and modernizing the wall tiles to create a more contemporary look.
“The University Communications and Marketing team played a key role in rebranding the space, introducing vibrant graphics that highlight students and campus programs,” Jason Warrington, marketing m anager of Bison Hospitality, said. “Strategic updates to equipment and layout helped open up the space, resulting in a fresh, inviting environment that reflects the spirit and energy of the Harding community.”
Summer 2025 brought phase two with the goal of transforming the cafeteria into a more functional and welcoming space. Phase two renovations included modern floor tiles, ceiling baffles to reduce noise levels, a new stage area equipped to support large gatherings and events, a semi-enclosed meeting room, and significant upgrades to the allergen-friendly True Balance station.
“The recent renovations to the University Dining Hall were driven by a shared vision between Harding University and Bison Hospitality to create a space where students feel encouraged to gather, connect and share meals in a warm, inviting environment,” Warrington said.
Students who attended the ribbon cutting were pleased.
“It was fun,” junior Anet Quiroz said. “I loved the Bison Tracks milkshakes.”
The McInteer Bible building was renovated to better represent Harding and its message. The changes include new wallpaper and paint in the rotunda and common areas, new rotunda flags, updated signage throughout the building, new signage for the dean’s suite and World Missions suite and exterior signage between the McInteer, Student Center and Pryor Science building.
“The McInteer, specifically the rotunda mosaic, is the heartbeat of the entire
Harding mascot Buff the Bison cuts ribbon with faculty, staff and students Aug. 20. The ribbon cutting ceremony symbolized new renovations to
university,” Meagan Justus, director of Events and Marketing for the College of Bible and Ministry and Harding School of Theology, said. “Each student walks across it multiple times a week and it makes sense that the building’s color scheme coordinates with that.
It was time to replace the rotunda wallpaper and update the flags to reflect the countries of our current student body.”
Renovations that are estimated to be completed by Sept. 29 include a theological studies common room, a large directory on
the first floor and smaller directories outside office suites (deans’, missions and Community Connections).
“The theological studies common room’s goal is to provide a community-building space for Theological Studies students,” Justus said. “These students have primary majors spread out all over campus, and it is hard to know sometimes who else is in the major. This room will provide a space for these students to better develop their ministry identity, and
Senior Phillip Hawkins and alumna Maggie Samples embrace after their engagement proposal April 24. Hawkins and Samples died in a car accident together a month later on May 25.
Photo by KENZIE JAMES
Photo provided by JEFF MONTGOMERY
the space.
New year brings new faculty, staff
KENZIE
JAMES
news editor
Harding University welcomed new faculty and staff, in addition to new students, with the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
The Provost’s Office shared a list of three administrative staff and 33 faculty members who are new or in new positions. Harding also hired new staff members, but Human Resources has not released a definitive list.
Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions Nate Copeland and management instructor Tracy Kee returned to Harding this year and are both alumni and former employees.
After graduating from Harding, Copeland worked for President David Burks and then in the College of Business. He had two kids at the time and decided to change careers when he and his wife learned they were expecting twins.
“Once we left, we always wanted to come back,” Copeland said. “We didn’t know when it would be or what that would look like, but we always knew that we wanted to be back at Harding one day.”
Copeland heard about the admissions job opening from some friends in the advancement
office and around Harding and described it as a dream job.
“The opportunity to come back to Harding and give the opportunity for students to have the same experience I did, that makes me super excited,” Copeland said. “My objective for our team is … to grow Harding in a way that makes sense for the future of the institution. I want to make sure as we look at the next 101 years that we’re really growing the school the way that we should.”
Instructor Tracy Kee’s family moved back to Searcy from Arizona, where Kee’s husband is a missionary in the Navajo nation. She asked Harding about becoming an adjunct professor, but instead, the University offered her a full-time position teaching personal finance and work behavior classes.
“It definitely wasn’t part of the plan,” Kee said. “Turns out that the Lord knows best, and we’re at this season of life where our teenage boys really needed community. … We felt like Harding and Searcy was a really great community of believers to bring our family back to.”
Kee, a former Harding University in Florence assistant and admissions recruiter,
said working at Harding again is natural and feels like home.
“It’s easy to work for Harding because I love it so much,” Kee said.
Some current faculty, including associate dean of nursing Kim Cooper, step into new positions with the new year. Cooper is training to become dean when Dr. Susan Kehl, the current dean, retires in January.
“I have one foot in my new world, one foot in the old world,” Cooper said. “I’m kind of doing a little bit of everything right now.” Cooper teaches classes in the Masters Entry Level to Professional Nursing program and directs the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Rogers, Arkansas. Additionally, she is learning the dean’s responsibilities. Some responsibilities, like attending deans’ meetings, are familiar to Cooper. Others, including the cabinet meetings, how to budget and how to staff, are new to the associate dean.
“It’s going to be a learning curve,” Cooper said. “Dr. Kehl’s taught me a lot, so hopefully I will learn from her. She’s done a great job. … I just hope that in the future I can keep that momentum and maybe get a little bit better.”
Record number attend International Student Services orientation
This fall, Harding’s International Student Services office held its largest orientation yet, welcoming 58 new international students from 31 different countries. This group included students from graduate studies, athletes, Walton Scholars, and participants in China and East Asia programs.
The two-day orientation, Aug. 11-12, aimed to give students both practical support and a warm welcome as they began their college journey. These services included airport pickups, rides and guidance to set up bank accounts, help with new phone plans, Walmart trips and direction on immunization and F1 visa requirements. Students also toured campus and became familiar with platforms like
Canvas and Pipeline, as well as resources for growth like The Table and the English Oasis. All of this, along with meals and social activities like movie nights, were meant to ensure that no one felt left out.
Mary Ellen Brumley, director of International Student Services, explained the main goal.
“It gives them the sense that they are not alone,” Brumley said. “Harding is a great place to be, and we want them to know they’ve come to a school that loves and supports them along their journey here.”
The orientation provided not only logistics, but opportunities for connection.
Peer guides, upperclassmen international students, offered a Q&A panel where the new students could ask questions and learn more about how to deal with culture shock,
classroom expectations and adjusting to life in the U.S.
“From day one, I felt supported,” New graduate student Jay Nanje from the island of Guernsey, United Kingdom, said. “Miss Mary picked me up from the airport and that first impression stuck. Meeting younger students gave me fresh energy and the orientation helped us practice English and learn how to navigate campus life, so I felt this welcoming feeling.”
Nanje expressed gratitude for the strong community atmosphere.
“We are all part of a global village,” Nanje said. “Diversity is beautiful because you can take the good things from every culture and bring them together. When that happens, it makes Harding a very unique place to be.”
Freshman Clarisa Chase, from Trinidad, expressed similar thoughts.
“We were overwhelmed with kindness,” Chase said. “The support we received, even with basics like food and supplies, helped us focus on why we’re here—to study. That’s really important.”
The orientation was not only important and meaningful for international students, but enriching for the whole campus. Dean of International Education David Collins emphasized that international students bring fresh perspective.
“Our international students are ambassadors of their countries,” Collins said. “Their presence challenges us to see things differently and reminds us that we are part of a global village.”
HUG welcomes new assistant to director
The Harding University in Greece (HUG) study abroad program welcomed a new assistant to the director this summer.
Harding alumna Regan McClure was hired in May and moved in July to the Artemis, Harding’s campus in Porto Rafti, Greece. HUG directors Daniel and Meagan Adams said McClure, who attended the spring 2022 HUG program, is the first of their students to become their assistant.
“We were really excited to see Regan’s name, because when you live with somebody for three months, you see how they do in less than ideal situations and … how she handles travel stresses,” Adams said.
McClure arrived at the Artemis during their Fourth of July party, a night both she and previous HUG assistant Lacey Bortell recalled. Bortell said the seven students were excited to welcome someone new to the facility.
“Our group had all been so tightly knit together the whole time,” Bortell said. “She joined and was just immediately part of things.”
“I walked in and I was nervous,” McClure said. “Since it was dinner time, I got to ease into the group dynamic. … It was easy for me to blend and mesh with them and get to know them.”
The assistants spent the last month of the HUG program training McClure to take over as assistant, which is unprecedented for the role.
“I just really wanted that opportunity because I really care a lot about the position and about the program,” Bortell said.
The two assistants spent the first week together in Turkey with the HUG group. Bortell and McClure would discuss daily events each evening, ask questions about the assistant’s tasks, brainstorm and strengthen their friendship.
“It’s so special and unique to get to work with another assistant,” Bortell said. “Those are some of my favorite semesters because it’s a unique job that nobody else really can understand except those who have worked it before. … Having Regan there for that month was really fun because it just gave me a partner to run ideas by.”
There is no fall HUG program, so McClure will act as director-in-residence and host other study abroad programs. McClure hosted the two-week COMM 1010 class at the beginning of August. The Harding University in Florence, Harding University in Europe and alumni trips all stay at the Artemis on their trips. McClure’s first semester-long HUG group will arrive in Porto Rafti in January.
“I am so excited to have a group in the spring, I get giddy just thinking about it,” McClure said. “I think [studying] abroad changes you and you lean into a more mature person. I’m excited to see the impact that has on all of them.”
Bortell, who left the Artemis at the end of July, said she is confident that McClure is already doing an excellent job as assistant.
“I know she cares deeply about the students, she cares deeply about the directors … and she cares deeply about her relationship with Christ,” Bortell said. “That just gives me a lot of confidence that she will be such a blessing to the HUG program.”
KENZIE JAMES news editor
Nate Copeland poses for a photo on the front lawn. Copeland is the new vice president of undergraduate admissions.
DANAE LUCIO guest writer
Pictured left to right, HUG assistants Lacey Bortell and Regan McClure hug at the Artemis, Harding’s campus in Porto Rafti. Bortell spent a month with McClure training her to be the new assistant.
International students pose at the Administration building fountain with the flags of their home countries. Students from 31 countries arrived at Harding for their first semester this fall.
Photo provided by DANAE LUCIO
Photo provided by REGAN MCCLURE
Photo provided by JEFF MONTGOMERY
The goofy red underwear is finally back. This summer, D.C. Studios launched their new cinematic universe with, for the first time since smallpox still existed, an optimistic and colorful live-action Superman film. I could not be more excited. As someone who has been a fan of Superman since I was a little boy, I have endured the majority of my life witnessing dark, gritty, and even outright evil iterations of Superman grip the masses, while the playfulness that makes Superman, Superman, has been relegated to early 2000’s comics and direct-to-video animation. This new film reminds audiences not only of Superman’s character as a concrete person, but also invokes the abstract concepts that I find have always made him and his stories shine: hope, optimism and joy. In this way, I believe “Superman” deeply understands Superman as a character, perfectly summarized in one of Clark Kent’s lines early in the film: “I wasn’t representing anyone, except for me, and doing good.”
One of the most poignant scenes in the film, and best example of what Superman is meant to stand for, came near the end, as the small fictional nation of Jarhanpur is about to be wiped out by the military of the much larger and more powerful nation of Boravia. The audience sees assault rifles lifting and tanks rolling in as a young boy, rather than seeking refuge by running away or hiding, chooses instead to lift up a bright yellow flag with Superman’s logo on it. This one image shows not only how Superman stands for optimism and hope, but the far-reaching
The Real Punk Rock
effect those qualities can have in the world. More than this, however, it shows that hope does not simply happen. Superman doesn’t represent justice and hope because he is good, he represents those things because he does good. The victory in the movie is hardfought—Superman gives everything he has to make the world a better place. Aside from Clark Kent himself, I was also pleasantly surprised by two side characters in particular, Lois Lane and Mr. Terrific. As a longtime fan of Superman across multiple mediums, I have been frequently frustrated by the inability of more mainstream Superman adaptations to get Lois right. She is, after all, the most important character in a Superman story after Superman himself. Oftentimes writers struggle to understand how to fit Lois, a regular human, into the large-scale plot of a Superman story, and as such she can tend to feel either out of place, leading to a lack of believable relationship with Clark, or annoying, due to her forcing herself into situations where she doesn’t belong. In this film, however, Lois does exactly what she should do. She serves the character aspect of the story by harmonizing with Clark’s overarching ideals, yet also holding him accountable for the long-term consequences of his actions which he is occasionally prone to overlook; and she serves the plot of the story by being a journalist. Rather than jumping into unnecessary danger to try and help Superman fight a powerful opponent, she uses her journalistic skills to expose Lex Luthor’s nefarious plot and bring the truth
Ashort plea
to light. In this way, Lois fights for truth while Superman fights for justice, showing how the two characters earnestly believe in the value of both, and trust one another to uphold those mutual beliefs.
While Mr.Terrific does not play as significant a role as Lois in upholding the major themes of the film, his character was immensely enjoyable to watch. His monotonous, unremarkable, and often frustrated tone serves as a great foil to Superman’s energetic and optimistic personality. Similarly, his talents made for some great action set pieces, particularly the “Five Years Time” scene, and helped give the otherwise fantastical world a somewhat more grounded feel. (Also, as a fan of one of Edi Gathegi’s previous roles, Darwin in “X-Men: First Class,” it was nice to see the actor finally get the chance to shine in this type of role.)
In the end, “Superman” reminds audiences why this character has endured for nearly a century: not just because he is powerful, not just because he is cool, but because he inspires us to believe in something better. It rekindles that childlike wonder that earnestly believes a man can fly. Hope, optimism, and joy may feel old-fashioned to some, but in a world broadly embracing cynicism, “Superman” shows us that these virtues are more necessary than ever — Superman reminds us of the real punk rock.
I’ll keep it snappy; you have classes. If you don’t know already, the opinions section doesn’t write itself. I know somewhere in that heart you have convictions, and if you don’t tell them, who will? Whether you have an idea for a Bison opinion, or you want to write one yourself, let me know. I won’t bite. I’d bet your name looks great in a byline. -Andrew
I heard this declaration from many people before going abroad. While overseas, I talked with my friends about how I was changing. And, of course, some changes are obvious when you return to the U.S.
But there’s one question that is not discussed. What happens when we return to the countries we visit while abroad?
I studied on the HUE 2024 program and lived in over a dozen countries. Of all the countries I visited, we spent the least time in Ireland. Less than 24 hours, to be exact.
I returned to Ireland for a week this summer with my family. When I set foot in the Dublin airport, I felt a sense of calm wash over me.
I knew what I was doing. I’d been there before.
I recognized the landmarks along the River Liffey, but what made me most comfortable
“Studying abroad will change you.”
was recognizing the stores.
As we walked through the city, I saw Lidl, Pret a Manger, Caffè Nero and many other familiar brands. Of course, I have fond memories of visiting these stores with my friends, but the comfort I felt was deeper than that.
I remember the first week of HUE, a few of my friends were ecstatic to see Five Guys restaurant at a tram station in Florence. Their reaction still makes me laugh, but I understand it now – it was similar to what I felt when I saw the European brands I knew.
Like my friends’ knowledge of the Five Guys menu, I recalled the quality of service and products I would see on the shelves of each store. I felt like I was walking into Publix or my favorite coffee shop at home after a semester in Searcy.
Studying abroad changed me, as it does
all of us who travel. The surprise comes when you notice the changes. I knew I was comfortable traveling after HUE, but I didn’t realize the extent of my comfort until I traveled again. One of the biggest blessings I received from HUE was preparation to adapt in any European country. I learned brands and household names. No matter what city I visit next, I know I will feel right at home when I see a familiar store.
To all who studied abroad, keep your eyes open for those changes. Even if you don’t see them at first, they’re there. If you’ve seen change in yourself, look for more. They may be hiding, waiting for you to take another trip across the pond.
KENZIE JAMES is the news editor for The Bison. She may be contacted at kjames7@harding.edu.
100 students - three questions
Out of 100 Harding students surveyed, 20 would date without intending to marry. If you forgive, you should also forget. 28% agreed, 72% disagreed. If someone’s friend said they were cheating on their partner, 70% of Harding students surveyed would go tell the other person; 30% would keep quiet.
Randi
Abbi
Sure! Here’s a sassy and entertaining opinion that ends in a satiric call to action. Let me know if you want me to add humor or keep this level of vitriol.
Let me be the first to raise my grubby hand and proudly proclaim, “I use artificial intelligence!” For what? I’m not saying; I’m not that stupid. And before you laugh, I know your secret — we all do. Your friends know, your parents know, your Bible professor certainly knows. Fun fact: Clearing your history does nothing when you’re on Harding’s network. We know you use AI.
And that’s OK! I’m not here to scorn. Those clankers have a way with words that soothes the strongest writer’s block. Everyone says that sin thrives in darkness, so let’s pull AI from the sidelines and into the limelight.
My prediction as a lowly opinion writer is that ChatGPT will only continue to mimic humans more accurately. And if we’re being honest, the instant Grok pumps out facts instead of slop, the verb “Google” will revert purely to the title of a company. A time is quickly coming upon us when AI will be indistinguishable from a human, and everyone will carry little geniuses in their pockets.
But why wait for AI to catch up to us?
Everyone’s asking why Gemini can’t hold up to an actual human, when we need to ask why humans aren’t as horrible at writing essays as ChatGPT. I say we stoop down in Christian kindness and meet our robot brethren where they stumble. All we AI-lovers need to do is convince the Luddites to lower their reading level by a few grades, and professors as a whole will have no consistent way of distinguishing what is real and what is bot-slop.
To this end, I compiled a few tips you can implement to try and sound like ChatGPT.
1. Change your font to Roboto.
2. When Dr. Williams asks if you’ve been using AI, lie and say yes.
3.Tattoo Sam Altman’s face onto your forehead, and build a small shrine to him on your desk. (Bonus points if you lead your class in religious chants.)
If all this is confusing … I get it; the reverse revolution is a hard fight. On second thought, it may be easier to just write assignments using your creative voice to the best of your ability. Ha, gotcha! Everyone knows prompts are the future, and if you’re not on the bandwagon, you’ll be left behind.
ANDREW RENEAU is the opinions editor for The Bison. He may be contacted at areneau@harding.edu.
Edgar
Michael
Natalia
Nona
Sidney
Graphic by TOBIN SELLERS
Graphic by MELANIE GUYETTE
Graphic by MELANIE GUYETTE
News Editor Kenzie James
Opinions Editor Andrew Reneau
Guest writer
Jacob Branson
JACOB BRANSON is a guest writer for The Bison.
Samples of gold
Editor-in-chief Randi Tubbs
“My life will not be defined by a wedding or graduation or even the day I die, but by the boring, normal things, and isn’t that more exciting? Any moment, or more likely every moment, is what life’s about. I don’t have to wait until the big moments to celebrate the joy of living,” Maggie Samples wrote in the first edition of her column, “Gold in the sand,” published Jan. 24, 2025. Maggie, spring 2025 editor-in-chief of The Bison, named her column after a quote that spoke to her from Leo Tolstoy’s novel “Anna Karenina.”
“Part three, chapter six of ‘Anna Karenina’ reads, ‘These joys were so small that they could not be seen, like gold in the sand, and in her bad moments she saw only griefs, only sand; but there were also good moments, when she saw only joys, only gold,’” Maggie quoted.
I met Maggie my freshman year at Harding in a women’s literature course. She caught my eye because of the nuggets of gold she wore as jewelry – that, and she had streaks of pink in her, also golden, hair (the pink was temporary dye that apparently never washed out). Very soon into the course, I noted that she never shied away from expressing her views on the readings and topics in the class. I wouldn’t have been able to put it into words at the time, but everything about her energy radiated something “gold in the sand.”
This year, I would like to honor Maggie through my column “Samples of gold.” I always knew there was a pun itching to make the surface in Maggie’s last name, “Samples,” and the theme of her column, “Gold in the sand,” could not fit her or her legacy better.
I want to live as though it is the moments petting my cat, laughing with my friends, or simply doing homework with my roommate that matter the most, because I believe that is the truth.
– Maggie Samples Spring 2025 Editor-in-Chief
Maggie’s invaluable perspective will be my inspiration for this school year. I want to remember Maggie in the “boring” moments of everyday life, remind myself how beautiful they actually are, and document them here, in the same way that Maggie did.
As I was living through the first week of school this semester, I was having a hard time spotting samples of gold. I honestly thought it would be effortless to pinpoint little joys, but in reality, it has proven to be a major learning curve. That was until I shared a meal.
My roommate, Kame Bishop, and I cooked dinner to share with our friends Abby Barry and Audrey Thomas. After a week of seeking little joys and being met with stress and disappointment, sharing a meal with true friends was the remedy.
Of course it was! My entire college experience can be summed up as a recount of every meal I shared with a friend. The moments shared over a meal are always the most connected and vulnerable. This is not just my personal experience, but a biblical experience. The Bible highlights sharing meals as a crucial way to deepen relationships with God and others, strengthen community and express hospitality.
I hope this serves as a reminder to you, as it did for me, that life is nothing without
On Oct. 8, 2023, I watched a video on X. It was a video that, like others from this particular event in history, has been etched into my mind since I saw it for the first time. It was a video of a man in Israel attempting to get his family to the roof of their house to hide from members of Hamas, who had entered his home looking to senselessly murder him, his wife and their child. His wife and child were able to make it up to the roof, but right as the man was about to get his second leg through the window, he was shot and killed. The Hamas members didn’t bother with the two people they knew were on the roof, and so they left the man’s body dangling outside the window for his family to see.
There are other videos from that day I remember vividly. There are very few things you can do when you see something like that over and over, and I remember at one point throwing my phone on my bed because the idea of such human cruelty is beyond anything I could possibly imagine. But I saw it, and now those images are in the back of my mind forever.
In 2001, America saw a very similar attack, not committed in homes or music festivals, but on America’s televisions and in the streets of New York City, Washington, D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania. 9/11 shaped a generation, and in response, America started the War on Terror, which ended two decades later in the scrambled withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021.
This summer, New York City voters nominated Zohran Mamdani as the Democratic party nominee for mayor. With no major challenger, Mamdani figures to be the next mayor of New York City – the same city where the worst terrorist attack in American history took place, as well as the home to the largest Jewish population in America. It’s that last fact that’s created plenty of controversy and discussion about what Mamdani’s views are regarding the right of Israel to exist.
Antisemitism: It has to stop
Mamdani again and again this summer declined to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a phrase that the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum urged “all leaders” to “condemn its use and the abuse of history,” and that “since 1987, Jews have been attacked and murdered under its banner.”
This same summer, I went to a Nazi concentration camp in Austria that had a long set of stairs carved into a hill nicknamed “The Stairs of Death,” where Nazis would routinely shove prisoners carrying large rocks up the hill to their deaths. My great-grandfather helped liberate the camp in May of 1945 and came home to America with severe PTSD from everything he saw. While the Mauthausen concentration camp had a smaller portion of Jewish prisoners than other camps, close to 30,000 of the total 190,000 prisoners were Jews. It was very eerie seeing what was left of the camp because, in a way, I was standing right next to where events like the ones I saw on my phone two years ago happened.
This isn’t much of a bold opinion, but I think war is bad. The post-9/11 wars were certainly not great, and there are some similarities one could make to how Israel is conducting itself in Gaza to how we handled ourselves in Iraq. Incidents like the Abu Ghraib scandal in 2004 showed that America was changing its mindset after being so set on revenge in the years after 9/11. I certainly don’t know all of the ins and outs of every geopolitical conflict, especially the one between the Jewish state of Israel and Palestine, but what I do know is how easy it has become for us to forget.
As a society, we forgot. The rhetoric only gets stronger, and every day we remember less and less. According to the Claims Conference, there are around 250,000 Holocaust survivors who are still alive, and by 2040, 90% of the remaining survivors will have died. Once the remaining survivors pass away, there will be nobody else who reminds us not to forget.
It’s why a man from Chicago flew to Washington, D.C. and murdered two Israeli diplomats in the street who were planning
on getting engaged soon. It’s why people proudly tore down missing posters of the Israeli hostages in the weeks after Oct. 7. It’s why, according to the BBC, anti-Semitic incidents spiked in the days after rapper Bob Vylan chanted “death, death to the IDF” at the Glastonbury music festival, perhaps one of the biggest music festivals in the world. At one music festival, people who are described as “freedom fighters” can kill hundreds of people for simply being Jews, but in another 4,000 miles apart, broadcast to millions of people throughout the world, it’s normal to declare those protecting Jews and the state of Israel as worthy of death. We have a real anti-Semitism problem in America. And while I might get pushback from all of this, I will stand by my statements while also saying this: War is wrong. Killing is wrong. An estimated 61,158 Palestinians have been killed, their deaths being used as cheap propaganda for Hamas, which hides in tunnels under hospitals, homes and schools and dares Israel to come find them. Not all Palestinians support Hamas, but Hamas has led as the governing body of Palestine since 2006, holding roughly 56.5% of the total representation. There hasn’t been an election since, so it’s ignorant to say that Hamas is just an outside political organization.
This conflict appears to have no end, and as I try to wrap up my thoughts, I know some people will read this and disagree with some of the words I’ve said, either thinking I’ve taken quotes and situations out of context or that I simply don’t know enough. But I’ll end with this: I’m not a Jew, but I am a human. And all humans, regardless of our race, religion, or political leanings, deserve to live.
ELI DEAN is the sports editor for The Bison. He can be contacted at edean3@harding.edu.
“As we discovered, you can do many things if you don’t know better.”
This was Gordon Hogan’s explanation for how he came to have lunch at the royal palace in Amman, Jordan, in 1960. Today it’s unthinkable that anyone — much less an American tourist — could just drive up, ring the bell, and ask to see an Arab king. But Hogan and his wife Jane were no ordinary travelers.
Last year, our Bible class had a special treat. We got to listen to a 96-year-old man recount his life’s adventures. This was the man who had taken his last wilderness trek in the Tasmanian mountains only six years before. This was the man who single-handedly inspired a rule that Harding students and their campaign leaders could not bungee jump while overseas. This was the man who stamped his own passport into Afghanistan, survived his van overturning in Turkey and had a thumb severed and sewed back on in Singapore.
Sixty-five years ago, Hogan was a successful businessman with a bright future in finance. He had a good life in Florida and seemed set. That’s when he and Jane decided to leave all of that and go to India as missionaries.
The journey they took was lengthy and epic. They flew to Germany and bought a Volkswagen van. They drove it into Yugoslavia, then into Greece, retracing part of Paul’s first-century route. As they traveled through Turkey, the van overturned. Other travel delays across Europe involved snow, floods, and difficult roads. To make matters worse, their visa to India was denied.
So, they decided to become missionaries in Pakistan, having received a visa at the embassy in Beirut. In Jordan, they drove to the royal palace unannounced and asked to visit the king. They were told he was not there, but his brother would happily entertain them for lunch.
From Jordan they went on to Baghdad, then from Iran to Afghanistan. After four months they finally arrived in Lahore, Pakistan, having traveled 14,000 miles. For the next eight years, they were resident missionaries in Lahore. Their next stop was Singapore, where Hogan served for 25 years as a minister, 15 of those as president of a Bible college.
Eventually, the Hogans returned to the U.S. and Gordon worked as a visiting missionary at Harding, Freed-Hardeman University, and Oklahoma Christian University. He taught Bible here for 14 years and took students to Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand until he was 80. He also served 20 years as an elder for College Church of Christ.
When Hogan died July 22 at the age of 97, he was fondly remembered as a man of confident faith, genuine kindness and stoic resolve. When his thumb was sliced off in a car door accident in Singapore, the 81-yearold sat calmly in the front seat on the way to the emergency room, holding a paper cup filled with ice. His thumb was sticking out of the cup—that is, until a doctor on the phone said, “Whatever you do, don’t put it in ice.”
His son Dave sped through the streets to the hospital, but Hogan gently told him, “It’s OK. You can slow down, son.” A 10hour operation restored the thumb, though Hogan was disappointed that he could not preach that Sunday.
Filling the pulpit brought him great joy, and he was truly gifted at sharing his faith.
At his funeral, one of the speakers had driven 19 hours from Ontario to deliver a message from her father in Pakistan, whose life had been changed seven decades earlier by meeting Hogan. A friend from Australia shared that he was as well-known throughout that country as he was in Searcy. Family members recalled a man of love, conviction, and steadfastness.
When reminiscing about his Volkswagen adventure from 1960, Hogan told friends, “I would gladly do it all over again.” That’s when Jane chimed in, “Not with this wife!” They were a delightful couple who playfully teased each other and loved deeply for 68 years until Jane’s passing in 2016. Hogan is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. This number, however, is increased when one factors in his coffee-club pals, golfing buddies, and many spiritual descendants. One son-in-law was beloved Harding professor Dr. Mike James, who passed away in 2021. I marveled at Hogan’s energy until the very end. He still took the stairs to Bible class at 97. In the last sermon he preached at College Church in 2022, he reflected on a life of travel and adventure.
“We can go anywhere—we can do anything—if Christ is with us,” Hogan said. Even on one of the most difficult days of his life, when he led a prayer for the family at the funeral of his 14-year-old great-grandson, Gordon Hogan was a man at peace, grateful for our shared faith in resurrection. That is the hope that those who admire him carry.
Narrative Columnist
Michael Claxton
Comic by GRACE BROWN
Sports Editor Eli Dean
Football team hosts church service
ELI DEAN sports editor
Harding University’s football program hosted a church service at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House on Sunday, Aug. 10. This annual tradition that takes place the first week players are back on campus allows members from the Searcy community to worship with and support the team. Head coach Paul Simmons wanted the players to recognize the high level of support from the community and the unity that the team rekindles every fall.
“When I took the job, a huge focus of mine was that our program would be something that created a lot of unity,” Simmons said. “I’ve never wanted to look in the stands and see a Harding crowd. I’ve always wanted to be a Searcy crowd. I wanted Harding to be Searcy’s team and White County’s team. And so this began as just an effort toward unity.”
Simmons estimated that around 1,200 people were at the event, which included the members of Kennect City Church, a Baptist church in Kensett. Simmons said that seeing new people being brought into the Harding Church of Christ community made a strong impact on him.
“They closed their doors that day and sent everybody over here to worship with us,” Simmons said. “I think that does send a giant message of unity. Lots of them were on campus for the first time, and certainly worshipping with us for the first time, and it was just amazing to see all of them here with us.”
Junior Jacob Nashold was uplifted by the singing and the camaraderie of the room. Nashold said that it was encouraging to see so many people from the community support Harding.
“It was a really incredible experience,” Nashold said. “I really enjoyed having that relationship with all those people.”
For many years, Harding’s football team has had more wins than any football team in the state of Arkansas, and that continuous powerhouse of success also creates more opportunities for the community to show support. Nashold said that he hopes the community continues to show out throughout this year so that the players can be encouraged by Searcy’s support for them.
“Harding’s football team is like a major part of our community,” Nashold said. “So they really wanted to be there so that the players can feel the love and support from all of us.”
Team members led the service and Dr. Monte Cox, dean of the College of Bible and Ministry, gave a sermon on the importance of the future. Cox said he wanted the players to remain humble despite the team’s on-field success, and be more focused on their offthe-field walk with Jesus.
“It’s not really about the glory of a national championship so much as it is building a culture of football that is second to none and about the team,” Cox said. “It’s about brotherhood. It’s about loving each other. It’s about giving your all, playing your best and fulfilling your role.”
Cox said that the culture surrounding the football team gives the community something to root for, and while winning football games might pique further interest in the community, the biggest victory is when the players set their sights on God.
“Those players form a bond that they don’t want to leave, and that’s great,” Cox said. I hope for every one of those players that that bond is grounded in their bonds to Christ and therefore their bonds as brothers in Christ.”
Sports teams shift schedules amid high temperatures
TUCKER ALLEN guest writer
With temperatures reaching over 100 degrees during the week of August 17–22, Harding University sports teams were forced to adjust practice times and locations. The fall season for athletics is rapidly approaching, and many teams are finalizing preparations for their season openers. With most sports being played outdoors, the extreme heat has significantly influenced scheduling and training conditions.
The average high temperature for last week was 99 degrees. Sports such as cross-country and soccer have had to shift practices to early mornings or late evenings. Cross-country practices are held twice daily, once at 6 a.m. and again at 7 p.m. to avoid the heat.
Senior Nate Perry noted that the heat has been both a challenge and an aspect of team bonding, explaining that, “it builds character, but it also creates team bonding… suffering together in the heat helps build our team,” Perry said. In an endurance sport like cross-country, grit is needed to achieve a strong finish, and Perry believes that the heat is helping them reach success.
Unlike running, other sports require strong daylight. For golf, limited hours with sun have created challenges.
“We practice whenever we can due to sunlight, which means that some of us practice during the hottest point of the day, and this
can lead to poor performance due to the quick loss of energy and rapid exhaustion,”
Meyer also noted that, occasionally, the heat is unavoidable and that they just need to get
“We might not play as many holes as we would if it was cooler, but other than that, we are basically suffering
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recommends that when temperatures exceed 86 degrees, athletes should be given
regular rest breaks and access to unlimited hydration during training sessions. However, the NCAA does not enforce a universal rule to cancel practice in extreme heat, trusting those decisions to coaches and institutions.
Hydration and recovery have become top priorities for athletes.
“The high temperatures really make you prioritize hydration and recovery. If you don’t handle your business with those two things, you can’t expect to perform at the level we expect day in and day out,” senior defensive back Luke Martin said.
Martin also said that football benefits from Harding’s indoor facilities.
“As far as affecting practice times and things of that nature, we’re lucky enough to escape the heat to our state-of-the-art indoor facility,” Martin said.
Roof rennovations made to Rhodes-Reaves Field House
ABBY BARRY head copy editor
This summer, the looming project of replacing the roof on the Rhodes-Reaves Field House, which has not been modified since the ‘90s, finally kicked off. Taking advantage of the slower summer season, in which the Rhodes hosted camps and faculty instead of daily Bison practices, the construction began, aiming to be finished before the teams returned to the court. The original roof had been leaking in various areas for the past few years, which eventually reached the court last season, affecting games and practices.
“It became an issue especially last year … we had to delay the start for a couple of games or we just had to pay really close attention because we had some leaks on the floor,” Athletic Director Jeff Morgan said of the long-anticipated project.
The new roof is expected to be finished any day now, to the relief of the practicing teams and student body. The construction area has led to closure of some parking spaces near the men’s laundry facility, to the dismay of dorm residents with cars.
Head women’s basketball coach Tim Kirby discussed the time frame of this project and the excitement for its completion.
“We’re hoping that the first part of next week it will be completely done,”
Finishing touches placed on the updated roofing of the
during the summer and is wrapping up as the fall sports
Kirby said. “We’re just excited it’s getting done. I mean, it’s pretty frustrating when you got rain going on during a game and just have leaks that you really can’t find out where they are.”
The Rhodes-Reaves is also gearing up to house hype rallies for both the football and basketball teams. Code Black and Midnight Madness are highly anticipated events for the Harding student body. Incoming freshmen especially look forward to these rallies, where they get
to see what team spirit is all about for the first time.
Head men’s basketball coach Weston Jameson addressed the convenience of beginning this project early in the summer.
“Construction really took place the majority of the summer, so it hasn’t affected a whole lot of what we’re doing, really,” Jameson said.
The new covering over this building will offer peace of mind for its occupants who are about to enter their busiest time of year.
Morgan expressed his thankfulness for this much-needed change. “We’re just super grateful to be able to get that done,” Morgan said.
Members of the Harding community place their hands on the Harding Bison football players during the annual team-led worship service at the RhodesReaves Field House Aug. 10. The service was a chance for the community to show their support to the players before their upcoming football season.
Photo by BRILEY KEMPER
Rhodes-Reaves Field House Aug. 25. The project started
season begins.
Photo by EDGAR CARDIEL
Graphic by CARYS BIRDWELL
Searcy breaks ground for waterpark
“It’s not every day, year, or decade, that we embark on a quality-of-life project worth $93 million,” Faulkner said.
The city of Searcy is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the development of a state-of-the-art outdoor water park, recreation center, ball fields, and soccer complex. On Thursday, Aug. 21, city leaders and community members gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the launch of this transformative project.
Many people worked hard for the past three years to set this massive project in motion. Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner spoke about the importance of these new facilities and how they will benefit the city.
The city’s residents seem to understand the value of a project this size. The strong turnout last week at the groundbreaking event reflected the community’s excitement and pride in Searcy’s growth. Harding alumnus and president of Hart Construction Adam Hart and his company are responsible for turning blueprints into reality.
“No longer are we going to have to travel to watch our kids play at top-tier soccer, baseball, and softball facilities,” Hart said at the groundbreaking ceremony.
These new facilities will leave a lasting impact on current residents, future generations, students and visitors alike. One of the reasons why Searcy is investing so much in this project is to create a fun and safe environment for the children of Searcy. The future of this community is being planted with hopes of prosperity for the next generation.
“Look at our future; it’s very bright,” Liz Howell, principal broker for Howell Realty Pros, said. “We are standing on the shoulders of giants who believed in this project.”
During the ceremony, Howell invited the children of the community to come stand close to the stage so they could witness a moment
that will shape the city’s future and leave an impact on Searcy for generations to come.
The city is investing not just in facilities, but in its future. These developments promise to create lasting memories, promote healthy lifestyles and bring residents together, making the community stronger and more connected than ever before.
Students take their mission to land down under
Over the summer, Phillip Baird, the college minister for Cloverdale Church of Christ, led a Global Outreach mission trip to Tasmania and Australia.
The group consisted of seven people, including Baird. The other six were graduate students Hayley Waller and Kaylor Jones, sophomores Judy Johnston and Stephen Mitchell, junior Joe Huffaker and alum Samuel Chesshir (‘25). While unintentional, it just so happened that all members of the
trip attend Cloverdale Church of Christ.
The crew flew out from Little Rock on May 29 and arrived in Tasmania on May 31, where they stayed until June 10. Leaving with many tears, they next visited Brisbane, Australia, until June 23. Their objective overseas was to be interactive with the many churches they visited and to commune with them and help them grow.
“Our goal is to serve the servers,” Baird said.
Johnston also found inspiration from the trip.
“Sometimes it felt like we weren’t really doing anything, but God can work through anything, no matter how small the situation,” Johnston said. “It doesn’t matter what you give him even if it’s just playing a card game with people.”
Harding has been sending Global Outreach to the church in Tasmania every summer for some time, previously under the guidance of Bryan and Darla Phillips. Last summer was the first time they added Brisbane to the itinerary, and Baird was specifically trained and equipped to lead the trip himself this year.
The time abroad had a profound impact on the perspectives of the students.
“It helped me to answer the question of what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be a part of the church,” Mitchell said. “It doesn’t mean going to a church of 600 people or going to a Bible class or chapel every day. It means fellowshipping with Christians. It was amazing to see how
those Christians approached everything with a complete reliance on their faith and upon each other. They completely support one another and are completely dedicated to their faith in a post-Christian culture.”
One of the biggest themes of the trip was worshipping God with fellow Christians. “While we were driving, we would sing worship songs,” Johnston said. “We would teach them songs they didn’t know, and it bound us together in Christian love. One
song that was super special was ‘Gratitude.’ It’s been a bittersweet reminder to sing it again here on campus with all these people. It just helps to show that we are still connected to the people we said goodbye to, and we are still one in Christ.”
Power outage affects west side of Searcy
almost nine years of doing this, it’s the longest it’s been out.”
On Sunday, Aug. 17, the power abruptly went out across Harding’s campus and parts of Searcy.
The outage took place from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. due to a storm making its way across the area. Lightning struck equipment belonging to Entergy, the electric company which provides Harding and the city of Searcy with power In this area, thanks to Entergy and the safety measures Harding has in place, long-lasting outages are generally few and far between.
“I’ve never had an outage happen for that long,” Stephens Hall Residence Life Coordinator Kara Chalenburg said. “In my
Chalenburg experienced the outage on a more intensive level, as the role she plays on Harding’s campus calls her to supervise all the residents of Stephens dorm. She has a different set of responsibilities in making sure that the students inside have all that they need to be safe and comfortable.
Dorm families have frequent meetings to make certain that vthey are briefed on a plethora of different scenarios, ensuring the well-being of their residents.
“It’s things we have talked about and talked about,” Chalenburg said. “All
these things actually came together; it was nice to see.”
Even though the power was out for four hours, at which time it’s possible for refrigerated food to spoil, it came back up in time for 4,100 customers who were without power to preserve perishables with little trouble.
“Entergy Arkansas is already storm-ready 365 days out of the year,” Matt Ramsey, communications manager for Entergy, said.
Entergy’s team worked efficiently in getting power back to the city, but the outage still came as a shock to students on campus. Some students got creative with finding
ways to occupy their time when the power went out, especially without an internet connection.
“I had a friend come pick me up,” sophomore Kayleigh Walker said. “Then we went for a hike.”
Most of the students on campus communicate via text and other phone applications, like Instagram. Without the ability to connect digitally, the community still has the urge to be with each other. Many people on campus and in the city of Searcy came together both to restore power and to bring light to their boredom.
MICHEAL WYRE beat reporter
LORELAI CURTIS community editor
LORELAI CURTIS community editor
Members of the Searcy community stand with shovels at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new waterpark. This event was held on Aug. 21 in celebration of the new recreation facilities.
Members of the Australia mission trip pose for a photo in Brisbane, Australia. The group was led by Global Outreach with members from Cloverdale Church of Christ.
Alumns Samuel Chesshir feeds a kangaroo at wildlife sanctuary in Tasmania, Australia. Chesshir was apart of the mission trip
Members of the Searcy community stand with shovels at the #MySearcy Groundbreaking ceremony. The Aug. 21 ceremony celebrate the towns new
Photo provided by STEPHEN MITCHELL
Photo provided by STEPHEN MITCHELL
Photo by ELENA KALLENBACH
Students serve during summer in Kazakhstan
his wife, Davita, and hosted by Sasha and Genia Metzo.
described what kind of construction work was done.
her parting moments as they left a youth camp where they had worked.
Over the summer, five students chose to spend their time doing the Lord’s work in Kazakhstan rather than returning home to spend a conventional season with their friends and family.
Seniors Mallory Jones, Walker Lusk, Jake Ferell, junior Daisy Truax and sophomore Caleb Smothermon spent nine weeks in Kazakhstan this past summer working in the mission field. Harding University has added Kazakhstan as a new location to its mission field and intends to continue sending students there. The trip was organized by Dr. Gary Jackson, instructor in the College of Bible and Ministry, and
This group of students was well-equipped to serve in the mission field. Ferell is fluent in Russian, Jones has a background in medicine, Truax is a missions major, and Smothermon and Lusk are good at connecting with children. This group grew the community in more ways than they could have imagined.
The majority of their days were spent waking up early in the morning and driving 45 minutes to an orphanage. The orphanage consisted of a single room that would fit two people comfortably, but was cramped with five children, if not more. Once they arrived, the students would aid in the construction of a new building for the orphanage to house more children comfortably. Smothermon
“And that included putting up drywall and talking with the kids at the orphanage there,” Smothermon said. “Some days we did tiling.”
They spent the majority of their day working. Around 4 p.m., they would drive to a nearby park and play with children and encourage them to attend church. They ended the day with dinner, then sleep, and started the same routine all over again the next morning. Dinner often included a variety of food uncommon in the U.S., like goat’s milk and horse meat.
These students left a significant impact on the kids of Kazakhstan, leaving them inspired and hopeful. Truax reminisced on
“On the last day, many came up to me — some in English, some doing their best to try — just to say how grateful they were and how glad they were that we came and loved them,” said.
After spending weeks in one small house, sharing one bathroom and working tirelessly each day, these five students had the brightest smiles on their faces.
When asked about how the Harding community can continue to contribute, Jones said that they “were seed planters. That’s all we were … so I think sending more students over there is really good, and it was so good. I just loved it. And by the end, it just felt like home.”
Meet the top names taking over freshman class
This fall, Harding University welcomed 1,110 new undergraduate students to campus. On the first day of chapel, President Mike Williams and Executive Vice President JeanNoel Thompson continued the tradition of sharing interesting statistics and facts about Harding’s incoming first-year class. A historic fan favorite is sharing the most common male and female names. This year, the most common names are Emma and Jack.
“I am not surprised,” freshman Emma Doerr said regarding the news that her name was the most common. “It was not shocking at all.”
Doerr’s roommate, freshman Emma Girdly, was sitting next to another student named Emma when they announced the news in chapel. Sharing a name with so many people is new to Girdly, who had previously always been the only Emma in her grade.
“I feel a little crazy sometimes because you hear your name … but it is not you,” Girdly said, “It happens even with my suitemates. They call out ‘Emma!’ and it’s like, ‘which one?’”
Both Doerr and Girdly love their name and love that they share it with so many others.
“It is the best way to make friends,” Doerr said. “We become built-in best friends because we share the same name. Which has been crazy.”
Along with the 15 new Emmas on campus, Harding welcomed 12 new students who share the name Jack.
“I was sitting in chapel before they announced it and wasn’t expecting it to be my name, but it was,” freshman Jack Mayhew said. “I thought it was funny because you never expect something like that to be you.”
ABBY DAVIDSON features editor
NATALIA LAGO beat reporter
Sophomore Caleb Smothermon, junior Jake Ferell and seniors Walker Lusk, Mallory Jones and Daisy Truax stand in front of the hill behind their host family’s home. The hill overlooks the city of Almaty.
Photo provided by DAISY TRUAX
Graphic by GRACE BROWN
Mayhew sits with another student named Jack in one of his classes, and lives in the
residence hall as three or four others.
Jacks
Mayhew said. “I
Student teachers prepare for their future
This semester, 41 seniors across Harding are taking a major step in their career: on-site student teaching. The 2025-2026 school year marks a new shift in Harding’s teacher prep program, as education and licensure majors will spend more time in the classroom, learning how to teach hands-on and observing a mentor teacher.
Allison Parker, director of the Watson Education Resource Center and instructor in the College of Education, explained that, though the new system is more demanding, it helps student teachers adjust to the classroom.
“They come in two weeks before Harding classes start, and though the semester can be exhausting, the experience is so valuable,” Parker said.
In the past, student teachers completed 40 hours of observation at a Searcy school in the fall of their senior year. This year, student teachers, or “residents,” will spend three days a week on-site, with two days in college classes. Their final semester will be spent full-time in the classroom.
For senior Emily Etzig, an elementary education major, learning to balance student athlete responsibilities as a cheerleader and teaching first grade at Westside Elementary is both a challenge and a blessing.
“It’s a lot, but I love it,” Etzig said.
Education students often appreciate a tougher senior year, as it equips them more fully for their teaching career.
“I feel pretty prepared,” Etzig said. “I see what’s said in my classes reflected in the real classroom. Harding has one of the best teacher programs in preparing us to teach on our own.”
Senior English licensure major Arden Cravy, who is teaching ninth-grade English at Searcy High School, described the switch between teaching in the classroom and learning on Harding campus.
“I try to differentiate the roles by wearing my student-teacher badge,” Cravy said.
“It’s definitely a shift in how I view myself and my role in the world.”
Senior Hannah Wright, an elementary education major teaching second grade at Westside Elementary, also works as an RA in Pattie Cobb Hall.
“The semester’s been a little stressful, trying to check curfew at midnight and getting up at 6 to go to school,” Wright said. Nonetheless, she considers it worthwhile, “because I love being an RA and the connections you make with the dorm residents.”
Wright looks forward to next semester and being in the classroom full-time instead of splitting two worlds.
“I love it,” she said. “I love the kids and their willingness to learn and grow.”
Students turn chaos of new year into comfort
Aug. 18 has come and gone. Students dragged IKEA bags and mini fridges up and down three flights of stairs (or a creaky elevator), hung decorations and met their roommates. The campus is flooded with students, new and old. Families and friends of students overtook Harding, working to furnish the new rooms of all students living on campus in their respective dorms.
Moving in can be stressful, and students only ever realize they’ve forgotten something once they’ve reached their destination. The first few weeks of school are a necessary buffer; they’re students’ last opportunity to grab supplies before school starts.
And sometimes you can get these items steeply discounted. Sophomore Ty Kirkbride says he picked up his mini fridge in a dorm lobby.
“It was free,” Kirkbride said. “If you are hungry, you don’t have to go out and buy something. You can grab lunch meat, or something like that.”
Don’t want to track down an antiquated gaming set? Sophmore Reese Blackburn has a musical way to beat the heat.
“I have a speaker, my roommates have some microphones,” Blackburn said. “We were doing karaoke when the power went out.”
Smaller items that are easily forgotten but make all the difference are power cords.
“I forgot the cord for my scooter, so I got to wait for that to be shipped in,” Blackburn said.
Sometimes it’s not what students bring, but what you leave at home. Sophomore Megan Becker cleared up her closet to jumpstart her semester.
“I should have brought more clothes,” Becker said. “But it’s a trade-off, you know? I have more space in my closet — it’s more organized.”
Those attempting to impress a classmate should consider something to spruce up their clothes.
“One thing I did buy was a steamer,” sophmore Ava Bernard, said. “Instead of ironing your clothes, you can steam them. It just goes way faster.”
What should the freshmen on campus absolutely bring? Bernard said a health insurance card.
“People forget to bring that all the time,” she said. “Then you go to the nurse, and your parents have to send you a picture.”
ANDREW RENEAU opinions editor
CLARA KERNODLE assistant copy editor
Senior Matt Wells explains how to instruments to student at Westside Elementary School. This class is one of many taught by Harding students.
Graphics by CARYS BIRDWELL
Photo provided by BETSY BAILEY